General Dumisani Khumalo said before the Madlanga Commission that Brown Mogotsi, a businessman who is a close acquaintance of Minister Senzo Mchunu, attempted to derail important police operations and safeguard private commercial interests through a succession of errors and false accusations.
On Monday, Khumalo testified that Mogotsi made multiple attempts to keep the South African Police Service (SAPS) from ending its medical services contract with Medicare 24, a firm that is owned by Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala. Khumalo stated that the cancellation was an unavoidable consequence of the apprehensions that were brought up regarding the contract. However, Mogotsi intervened in what appeared to be an effort to protect Matlala’s business operations.
It was disclosed by Khumalo that Mogotsi operated under the erroneous impression that the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) was investigating Matlala. Khumalo provided clarification that the probe actually fell under the purview of Gauteng counterintelligence rather than the PKTT. “His assumption was proven to be entirely incorrect, but on that basis, he made an aggressive push for the task team to be disbanded.”
The general made an additional allegation that Mogotsi tried to personally undermine him by citing a Constitutional Court judgement to argue that disciplinary action should be taken against Khumalo. Khumalo, on the other hand, stated that the ruling in question pertained to a different officer altogether, which is yet another instance of mistaken identity.
“These actions were not only misplaced but reckless,” Khumalo told the commission, “threatening the integrity of police operations at a critical time.”
The evidence adds to the growing scrutiny of the group of people that Mchunu associates with, as the minister continues to remain on leave in anticipation of the corruption charges. There was no clear evidence given that linked Mchunu himself to the contract conflicts, but the connection between Mogotsi and Matlala has raised further doubts about political intervention in law enforcement activities.
The Madlanga Commission, which was charged with investigating the issues of corruption, political violence, and state capture in KwaZulu-Natal and other areas, has provided a venue for whistleblowers such as Khumalo to expose networks of influence. The situation that he describes is one in which there is confusion, opportunism, and an attempt at manipulation at the highest echelons of law enforcement.
It is expected that the proceedings will continue later this week. The commissioners are expected to subpoena additional witnesses in order to support Khumalo’s statement.
